The EB3 is the "big brother" of the EB0 and again a true design classic. Few basses are as easily recognized
and as often copied as the Gibson EB3.

Launched in 1961, with a launch price of $285, the 1960s EB3 was very popular with the British bands of the
late 1960s; Jack Bruce (Cream), Andy Fraser (Free), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Trevor Bolder (David Bowie), Glen
Cornick (Jethro Tull), and Chris White (Zombies) all used the EB3 as did many others in the seventies. Today it still
used by bassists such as Jared Followill (Kings of Leon), Mike Watt (Iggy and the Stooges). Almost 15000 basses were shipped
before the model was discontinued in 1979, although sales figures for the years 1969-1973 far outstrip the years before or
after.

The EB3 bass differed from the EB0 in having two pick-ups-the same Humbucker at the neck plus a
smaller pick-up at the bridge and came with a varitone switch for four distinct tones - including an incredibly bassy choked
neck-pickup sound, often referred to as 'mud' by EB3 fans and detractors alike.

By late 1971, the series was redesigned again, but more drastically this
time. Necks became maple, the main pickup was moved from the neck to mid-body and circuits redesigned, largely to obtain a
brighter tone. The 1960s EB3 was a small bass, being only 30½ inches scale and weighing a mere 3.7 kg compared to 4.6 kg of
a 1970s EB3.

Click on a photo to see a larger picture

Below, an all-original 1962 EB3, with the black covered pick-up - one of only
273 shipped in this, the second year of this model..

Below, a 1968 EB3 with narrow spaced controls (introduced from 1966).

Above and right in its original case, a 1973 EB3L, the longer scale, 34 inch, neck with the heavier mahogony body,
maple neck, short scratchplate and mid position main pick-up from the 1972 redesign.

Above, a 1973 EB3 with original case. As with the EB0, post 1972 EB3s have lost the bevelled edge, resulting in
a flat, heavier body.